theDove.us - French Openhttp://www.thedove.us/taxonomy/term/1927/0
enPlay Suspend At French Openhttp://www.thedove.us/sports/2015/06/05/play-suspend-french-open
<p>Novak Djokovic's French Open semifinal against Andy Murray has been suspended in the fourth set because of rain.<p>
<p>The top-seeded Djokovic, bidding to complete a career Grand Slam, won the first two sets 6-3, 6-3 on Friday, before Murray took the third 7-5. Play was stopped at 3-all in the fourth, shortly before a storm began.<p>
<p>The match will resume Saturday.<p>
<p>The winner will meet Stan Wawrinka on Sunday. Wawrinka beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 6-7 (1), 7-6 (3), 6-4 earlier Friday.<p>
http://www.thedove.us/sports/2015/06/05/play-suspend-french-open#commentsSportsFrench OpenTennisFri, 05 Jun 2015 19:20:45 +0000Jim McCoy11362 at http://www.thedove.usTwo Upsets In Men's Play At French Openhttp://www.thedove.us/sports/2015/06/02/two-upsets-mens-play-french-open
<p>TSONGA OUSTS NISHIKORI<p>
<p>"Roland, je t'aime," wrote Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on the red clay, using the sole of his right shoe. Then he got down on the court, on his back, with arms and legs spread apart, as 15,000 or so of his closest friends stood and roared their approval.<p>
<p>"I love you, Roland," it meant, a thank you to the French Open fans who willed their countryman Tsonga to a 6-1, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3 victory over No. 5-seeded Kei Nishikori of Japan in the quarterfinals.<p>
<p> Tsonga, seeded 14th, moved into his second semifinal at Roland Garros, and his sixth at a major.<p>
<p> He'll face Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka on Friday for a spot in the final. Not tough to guess who will be the crowd favorite at Court Philippe Chatrier.<p>
<p>FEDERER FALLS<p>
<p>For the third year in a row, Roger Federer is gone from the French Open before the semifinals.<p>
<p>This time, he bows out in the quarterfinals with a 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (4) loss to his pal and Swiss Davis Cup teammate Stan Wawrinka.<p>
<p>Federer had won 16 of their previous 18 matchups, but 2014 Australian Open champion Wawrinka was in control from the start of this one.<p>
<p>Federer's collection of 17 Grand Slam titles includes the 2009 French Open, part of a stretch where he made it to at least the semifinals seven times in eight years.<p>
http://www.thedove.us/sports/2015/06/02/two-upsets-mens-play-french-open#commentsSportsFrench OpenTennisTue, 02 Jun 2015 19:24:02 +0000Jim McCoy11331 at http://www.thedove.usGolf's French Open Updatehttp://www.thedove.us/sports/2014/07/03/golfs-french-open-update
In his French Open debut, Kevin Stadler shot a bogey-free 7-under 64 to lead by a stroke after the first round on Thursday.
The American golfer, who won the Phoenix Open in February and shared eighth place at the Masters in April, made seven birdies on a punishing golf course that will host the Ryder Cup in 2018.
"Not making bogey was something I didn't think possible in my practice rounds," Stadler said. "It's one of my favorite courses. It's spectacular."
Marcel Siem of Germany was in second place, one stroke clear of Stephen Gallacher of Scotland. Jamie Donaldson of Wales and Felipe Aguilar of Chile were tied for fourth at 4 under.
Defending champion Graeme McDowell (70) and U.S. Open champion Martin Kaymer (72) stayed in contention while Padraig Harrington (74), Thomas Bjorn (76) and Victor Dubuisson (76) will need a good performance in the second round on Friday to make the cut.
Siem, who won the French Open in 2012 but missed the cut last year, has had very little sleep since the birth of his daughter, Carlotta Sophie, 10 days ago. But he still found the energy in the morning to offset two bogeys with eight birdies for a 65 that only Stadler was able to eclipse.
"I cannot wait to go to bed to be honest," Siem said. "On the third, I already said to my caddie: 'I've got to go to bed, I need to get my batteries loaded up.' I'm really pleased I stayed patient today."
Gallacher took the lead from Siem by picking up a shot on No. 5, but he slipped down the leaderboard with two bogeys in his last three holes at Le Golf National.
"You never feel comfortable on this course," Gallacher said. "Every shot's got a risk in the water. So you've got to keep on your toes. You've got to concentrate all the time."
Gallacher won the Dubai Desert Classic in February and was tied for second at the Nordea Masters in Sweden last month.
David Howell carded a 72 in his 500th appearance on the European Tour, becoming at 39 the second youngest golfer to reach that milestone.
"It all comes down to desire, and also your health," Howell said. "I've had my injuries along the way and my niggles, and they are still there. But I'm feeling pretty good at the moment."
Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley withdrew because of a shoulder injury and was replaced by Andrew McArthur (76).
http://www.thedove.us/sports/2014/07/03/golfs-french-open-update#commentsSportsFrench OpenGolfThu, 03 Jul 2014 19:03:46 +0000Jim McCoy8183 at http://www.thedove.usSports Minute: French Open, Stanley Cup, Etc.http://www.thedove.us/sports/2014/06/02/sports-minute-french-open-stanley-cup-etc
PARIS (AP) - Men's defending champion and top-seed Rafael Nadal (rah-fay-ehl nah-DAHL') has reached the quarterfinals at the French Open for the fifth straight year. He will face David Ferrer (feh-REHR') after eliminating Dusan Lajovic (DOH'-sahn LY'-oh-vihtch) of Serbia 6-1, 6-2, 6-1.
PARIS (AP) - The last Americans at the French Open are headed home. Sloane Stephens was the 15th-seed in the women's division and she has been defeated, as have the Bryan brothers, Mike and Bob, in the men's doubles competition.
UNDATED (AP) - The Stanley Cup final gets going in two nights when the Kings entertain the Rangers in Game 1. Los Angeles advanced to the final with a 5-4 overtime win over the Blackhawks last night in Chicago.
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) - The New York Jets have signed safety Calvin Pryor. He was their first-round draft pick out of Louisville. Pryor was the 18th overall selection.
CLEVELAND (AP) - The Cleveland Browns have signed unrestricted free agent cornerback Aaron Berry. He missed last season after suffering a season-ending knee injury on the first day of training camp last year.
http://www.thedove.us/sports/2014/06/02/sports-minute-french-open-stanley-cup-etc#commentsSportsFrench OpenStanley Cup finalsMon, 02 Jun 2014 20:03:36 +0000Jim McCoy7843 at http://www.thedove.usBolt, Sanchez To Present French Open Trophieshttp://www.thedove.us/sports/2013/06/06/bolt-sanchez-present-french-open-trophies
Six-time Olympic track champion Usain Bolt and eight-time Grand Slam champion Arantxa Sanchez Vicario will present the men's and women's winners' trophies at the French Open this weekend.
The French Tennis Federation says Sanchez Vicario, who won the French Open three times, will be alongside FFT President Jean Gachassin at Roland Garros for the final on Saturday. She'll hand the trophy to either Serena Williams or Maria Sharapova.
Gachassin and Jamaican sprinter Bolt will do the same after the men's final on Sunday.
In the men's semifinals Friday, top-ranked Novak Djokovic faces seven-time champion Rafael Nadal and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga takes on David Ferrer.
http://www.thedove.us/sports/2013/06/06/bolt-sanchez-present-french-open-trophies#commentsSportsAranxia Sanchez- VicarioFrench OpenTennisUsain BoltThu, 06 Jun 2013 19:01:33 +0000Jim McCoy4444 at http://www.thedove.usWednesday Roundup From The French Openhttp://www.thedove.us/sports/2013/06/05/wednesday-roundup-french-open
Here's what's happening Wednesday at the French Open:
AZARENKA ADVANCES
Third-seeded Victoria Azarenka became the first woman representing Belarus to reach the semifinals of the French Open by defeating Maria Kirilenko of Russia 7-6 (3), 6-2 on Wednesday. The two-time Australian Open champ won five straight points to lead 6-1 in the tiebreaker before hitting a backhand crosscourt winner to take the first set. Kirilenko, who has never advanced past the quarterfinals in any Grand Slam tournament, double-faulted to trail 3-1 in the second set. Azarenka sealed her spot in the last four when Kirilenko sent a forehand long. She will next face No. 2 Maria Sharapova, who beat No. 18 Jelena Jankovic.
SHARAPOVA SURVIVES
Maria Sharapova lost the first six games, then won the last four to reach the semifinals. The defending champion overcame a miserable start in the quarterfinals to beat Jelena Jankovic, 0-6, 6-4, 6-3.
It was the first victory of Sharapova's career after losing an opening set 6-0. Sharapova won her first French Open title a year ago to complete a career Grand Slam. She's 42-9 at the French Open, best among active women.
NADAL ROLLS FORWARD
Turning in his finest performance yet at this year's French Open, seven-time champion Rafael Nadal reached the semifinals with a 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 victory over ninth-seeded Stanislas Wawrinka on Wednesday. After dropping the first set in each of the first two rounds, Nadal has won 12 sets in a row, looking better and better at Roland Garros, where he now is 57-1. Not that this result was all that surprising: Nadal improved to 10-0 against Wawrinka and has won all 22 sets they've played. Nadal reached the 20th Grand Slam semifinal of his career, while preventing Wawrinka from getting to his first. The Spaniard is trying to become the first man to win eight titles at the same Grand Slam tournament.
DJOKOVIC HALTS HAAS
novak Djokovic advanced Wednesday to the semifinals of the only Grand Slam tournament he has yet to win, beating Tommy Haas 6-3, 7-6 (5), 7-5 at the French Open. Djokovic, the winner of six major titles, seeks to become the eighth man to complete a career Grand Slam. He eased past the 35-year-old Haas, winning 40 of his first 43 service points. Haas found himself on the verge of pulling even at 5-all in the tiebreaker, but Djokovic smacked a backhand winner to end a 24-stroke rally and won the next point as well for a two-set lead. Djokovic reached his 12th consecutive Grand Slam semifinal.
http://www.thedove.us/sports/2013/06/05/wednesday-roundup-french-open#commentsSportsFrench OpenTennisWed, 05 Jun 2013 19:11:11 +0000Jim McCoy4437 at http://www.thedove.usTuesday Results From The French Openhttp://www.thedove.us/sports/2013/06/04/tuesday-results-french-open
FERRER WINS
There was no stunning comeback for Tommy Robredo as fourth-seeded David Ferrer beat him 6-2, 6-1, 6-1 Tuesday at the French Open. Ferrer won the all-Spanish match to reach the semifinals without dropping a set.
Robredo got to the quarterfinals by becoming the first man since Henri Cochet at Wimbledon in 1927 to win three straight Grand Slam matches from two sets down. But on Tuesday, he couldn't repeat the feat.
Ferrer will play his second semifinal at Roland Garros against either No. 2 Roger Federer or No. 6 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. He won seven titles last season, the most for any player on the tour.
A former top-10 player, Robredo missed this tournament the past two years because of a left-leg injury that required surgery.
SERENA DIGS DEEP & WINS
Serena Williams came from behind in the third set Tuesday and advanced to the French Open semifinals for the first time since 2003 when she defeated Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.
Williams had been beaten the last four times she reached the Roland Garros quarterfinals, most recently in 2010. The 15-time Grand Slam champion won her only French Open title in 2002.
Against Kuznetsova, Williams overcame an inconsistent serve, erratic groundstrokes and a 2-love deficit in the final set. She won five consecutive games and then closed the victory with a forehand winner and a scream.
Her opponent Thursday will be 2012 runner-up Sara Errani, who advanced by beating No. 4 Agnieszka Radwanska 6-4, 7-6 (6).
LESSER KNOWN WOMAN ADVANCES
Sara Errani of Italy showed her surprising run to last year's French Open final was no fluke, beating fourth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland 6-4, 7-6 (6) Tuesday to reach the semifinals.
The fifth-seeded Errani will next face top-seeded Serena Williams.
Errani rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the second set to break for a 5-4 lead, but she then failed to serve out the match. However, she did not falter in the tiebreaker, converting her second match point when Radwanska hit a backhand wide.
Radwanska was the first Polish woman to reach the quarterfinals at Roland Garros in the Open era, which started in 1968.
http://www.thedove.us/sports/2013/06/04/tuesday-results-french-open#commentsSportsDavid FerrerFrench OpenTennisTue, 04 Jun 2013 18:41:20 +0000Jim McCoy4430 at http://www.thedove.usFrench Open: Haas Making History, Nadal Celebrates With Victory, Sharapova Advanceshttp://www.thedove.us/sports/2013/06/03/french-open-haas-making-history-nadal-celebrates-victory-sharapova-advances
HAAS TRIUMPHS
Tommy Haas' resurgence at age 35 reached a new peak Monday, when he became the oldest French Open men's quarterfinalist since 1971 by beating Mikhail Youzhny 6-1, 6-1, 6-3.Haas also became the oldest man to reach the quarters at any major event since Andre Agassi at the 2005 U.S. Open.
Seeded No. 12, Haas needed 13 match points to beat John Isner in a third-round marathon, but the victory over Youzhny took less than 90 minutes. By the second set Youzhny was so frustrated he demolished his racket by banging it nine times against his changeover chair.Haas served well and dominated with his returns, winning 25 of 41 points on Youzhny's first serve and breaking eight times.
AZARENKA ADVANCES
No. 3 women's seed Victoria Azarenka swept the final nine games and advanced to the quarterfinals by beating 2010 champion Francesca Schiavone 6-3, 6-0.Azarenka improves to 26-2 in 2013. She has won the Australian Open each of the past two years, and Roland Garros is the only major tournament where she has yet to reach the semifinals. Play on center court began in weather so cool both players dressed in long sleeves, and Azarenka wore leggings under her skirt. There were four consecutive service breaks before Azarenka took the lead for good, holding to make it 4-3. The superior pace and depth of her shots began to wear on the unseeded Schiavone.
MATTEK-SANDS FALLS
Russia's Maria Kirilenko reached her first French Open quarterfinal by ending the surprising run of 67th-ranked American Bethanie Mattek-Sands with a 7-5, 6-4 victory. The 12th-seeded Kirilenko lost in the fourth round at Roland Garros in 2010 and 2011. She trailed 4-1 at the start against Mattek-Sands, who stunned 2011 French Open champion Li Na in the second round. But Mattek-Sands' lead began slipping away, and while ahead 5-4, she asked for medical attention. From there, Kirilenko won four games in a row. Kirilenko, who is engaged to two-time NHL MVP Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, also was visited by a trainer, getting a massage on her right shoulder in the second set. Kirilenko held on, though, and faces two-time major champion Victoria Azarenka next.
DJOKOVICH RALLIES
Novak Djokovic overcame a slow start to reach his 16th consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinal at the French Open by beating Philipp Kohlschreiber 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. After losing a set for the first time in the tournament, Djokovic became more aggressive, punctuating winners with lots of fist-pumping as he pulled away. He repeatedly escaped trouble with his serve, erasing 11 of the 13 break points he faced. Djokovic will next play Tommy Haas.
Roland Garros is the only Grand Slam that Djokovic has yet to win.
NADAL CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY WITH WIN
Rafael Nadal celebrated his 27th birthday by advancing to the quarterfinals with a 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 victory over Kei Nishikori.
Nadal is seeking to become the first man to win eight titles at the same Grand Slam event. He won a record seventh French Open championship last year and is 56-1 at Roland Garros. Seeded No. 3, Nadal trailed early in each of his first three matches. But he played from ahead against Nishikori, the first Japanese man to reach the fourth round at Roland Garros since 1938. Since returning in February from a seven-month layoff because of a left knee injury, Nadal is 40-2. His opponent Wednesday will be No. 9-seeded Stanislaus Wrawinkra.
SHARAPOVA STOPS STEPHENS
Defending champion Maria Sharapova returned to the French Open quarterfinals by beating 17th-seeded Sloane Stephens of the United States 6-4, 6-3. The second-seeded Sharapova handled Stephens' strong serve well, accumulating 12 break points and converting eight. In 2012, Sharapova completed a career Grand Slam at Roland Garros, adding that trophy to ones from Wimbledon in 2004, the U.S. Open in 2006 and the Australian Open in 2008. Sharapova has won all eight sets she's played so far this year and will face No. 18 Jelena Jankovic or 54th-ranked Jamie Hampton in the quarterfinals. Stephens, a semifinalist at the Australian Open in January, lost in the French Open's fourth round for the second year in a row. She's 1-8 against women ranked in the top five.
WAWRINKA OUTLASTS GASQUET
Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland overcame a two-set deficit to beat Richard Gasquet 6-7 (5), 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, 8-6 onto reach the French Open quarterfinals for the first time. The seventh-seeded Frenchman appeared on the way to a win, especially when the ninth-seeded Wawrinka's temper frayed in the third set. Wawrinka ranted at the umpire several times for the line judge to be changed. Wawrinka converted only four of his 20 break-point chances, but the last of those took him to victory. With Gasquet under pressure on his second serve, Wawrinka unleashed a powerful forehand winner down the line.
http://www.thedove.us/sports/2013/06/03/french-open-haas-making-history-nadal-celebrates-victory-sharapova-advances#commentsSportsFrench OpenMaria SharapoveNovak DjokovicRafael NadalTennisTommy HaasMon, 03 Jun 2013 18:47:23 +0000Jim McCoy4424 at http://www.thedove.usFriday's French Open Rounduphttp://www.thedove.us/sports/2013/05/31/fridays-french-open-roundup
SIMON VS. QUERRY
Gilles Simon of France came back after trailing by two sets to one and a break in the fourth to beat Sam Querrey of the United States 2-6, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2 Friday in the third round of the French Open.
The 15th-seeded Simon never has been past the fourth round at Roland Garros and this time will face 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer at that stage.
Already ahead, Querrey went up 2-0 in the fourth set, but Simon broke back right away. In the tiebreaker, Querrey double-faulted twice while falling behind 4-0 and never really recovered.
Querrey's loss means 19th-seeded John Isner is the last American man in the field.
FEDERER VS. BENNETEAU
Roger Federer reached the fourth round of the French Open by beating Julien Benneteau of France 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 Friday.
The second-seeded Federer dropped his serve in the first game of the match, but broke the 30th-seeded Benneteau four times.
The 17-time Grand Slam champion, who won his only title at Roland Garros in 2009, will play Simon.
SERENA VS. CIRSTEA
Serena Williams advanced to the fourth round at the French Open by beating Sorana Cirstea 6-0, 6-2 Friday.
Williams, a 15-time Grand Slam champion, seeks her first French Open title since 2002. She hasn't reached the semifinal since 2003.
Ranked No. 1, Williams has won a career-best 27 consecutive matches. Since losing in the first round a year ago at Roland Garros, Williams is 70-3, including titles at Wimbledon, the U.S. Open, the London Olympics and the season-ending WTA Championships.
Against the No. 26-seeded Cirstea, Williams committed only 16 unforced errors. She has lost six games in three matches.
ISNER VS. HARRISON
John Isner ended his six-match losing streak in five-setters, coming back to beat Ryan Harrison 5-7, 6-7 (7), 6-3, 6-1, 8-6 in all-American matchup in the French Open's second round.
It's the first time in Isner's career he has come back to win a match after dropping the first two sets.
The 19th-seeded Isner - best known for winning the longest match in tennis history, 70-68 in the fifth set at Wimbledon in 2010 - lost in five sets at each of last year's four Grand Slam tournaments. That includes an 18-16 defeat in the second round at Roland Garros against 261st-ranked Paul-Henri Mathieu across more than 5 1/2 hours.
The victory Friday over the 92nd-ranked Harrison was quick by comparison, lasting 3 hours, 50 minutes.
NADAL VS. KLIZAN
Rafael Nadal came from behind for the second match in a row Friday at the French Open, surviving another shaky start to beat Martin Klizan 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
Entering the tournament, seven-time champion Nadal had lost only 14 sets in 53 matches at the French Open. Now he has lost the opening set in each of the first two rounds.
Last year, Nadal dropped one set in the entire tournament en route to a record seventh Roland Garros title.
Forced to wait a day to play because of rain, Nadal lost serve four times and needed nearly three hours to reach the third round. When Klizan's final shot sailed out, Nadal gave the cheering crowd a relieved thumbs-up and managed a weak smile.
SHARAPOVA VS. BOUCHARD
Defending French Open champion Maria Sharapova moved into the third round Friday by finishing off a rain-interrupted 6-2, 6-4 victory over 19-year-old Eugenie Bouchard of Canada.
The match was suspended on Thursday night with Sharapova up a break in the second set at 4-2.
She only had the tiniest bit of trouble closing things out Friday, erasing a couple of break points in the final game. On the second, 2012 Wimbledon junior champion Bouchard wasted a chance to get to 5-all when she flubbed a backhand long, then covered her face with her hand.
Sharapova took the next two points.
She completed a career Grand Slam by winning the French Open last year, adding to titles at Wimbledon in 2004, the U.S. Open in 2006 and Australian Open in 2008.
HAAS VS. SOCK
ermany's Tommy Haas became the first 35-year-old since 2007 to reach the French Open's third round, beating 20-year-old American qualifier Jack Sock 7-6 (3), 6-2, 7-5 Friday.
Jonas Bjorkman also was 35 when he made it to the fourth round at Roland Garros six years ago.
The 12th-seeded Haas, the oldest man left in the draw this year, has been a Grand Slam semifinalist four times but never has been past the fourth round in 11 previous appearances at the French Open.
Haas won his 14th career title in May at Munich, Germany, on clay.
Sock double-faulted to get broken in the next-to-last game of Friday's match.
http://www.thedove.us/sports/2013/05/31/fridays-french-open-roundup#commentsSportsFrench OpenMaria SharapovaRafael NadalRoger FedererSerena WilliamsTennisFri, 31 May 2013 19:08:59 +0000Jim McCoy4412 at http://www.thedove.usFrench Open: Djokovic Wins, Former Women's Champ Loses In Upsethttp://www.thedove.us/sports/2013/05/30/french-open-djokovic-wins-former-womens-champ-loses-upset
MEN'S BRACKET
Top-ranked Novak Djokovic eased into the third round of the French Open with a 6-2, 6-0, 6-2 win over Argentina's Guido Pella on Thursday.
Djokovic has won every Grand Slam title except the French Open and has made this year's tournament his priority. The Serb lost last year's rain-interrupted final at Roland Garros to Spaniard Rafael Nadal.
The match on center court was delayed and interrupted by afternoon rain.
It had little effect on Djokovic's concentration as he swept aside Pella in 1 hour, 26 minutes.
He had 30 winners, broke Pella's serve six times and did not face a single break point on his serve, clinching victory on his third match point when Pella double-faulted.
AMERICAN WOMAN TOPPLES FORMER CHAMP
American Bethanie Mattek-Sands rallied past 2011 French Open champion Li Na 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 Thursday in the second round at Roland Garros.
Mattek-Sands won seven consecutive games to take a 5-0 lead in the final set after the second rain delay of the match. She served out the victory with the sun shining and rain falling, and became the fourth U.S. woman to reach the third round.
The 67th-ranked Mattek-Sands matched her best showing at Roland Garros. She failed to qualify for the Australian Open in January and arrived in Paris with a 10-8 record this year.
Li was seeded sixth. Since winning her lone major title, she has lost in the first or second round at four of the eight Grand Slam events.
STOSUR WINS
Ninth-seeded Sam Stosur beat Frenchwoman Kristina Mladenovic 6-4, 6-3 to reach the third round of the French Open on Thursday.
The former U.S. Open champion saved the only break point she faced, hit 26 winners and broke Mladenovic's serve once in each set before another rain delay at the French Open.
Stosur will face 18th-seeded Jelena Jankovic, a three-time semifinalist at Roland Garros. The former No. 1 Jankovic beat Garbine Muguruza of Spain 6-3, 6-0.
Stosur reached the French Open final three years ago.
http://www.thedove.us/sports/2013/05/30/french-open-djokovic-wins-former-womens-champ-loses-upset#commentsSportsFrench OpenLi NaNovak DjokovicSamantha StosurThu, 30 May 2013 18:34:07 +0000Jim McCoy4400 at http://www.thedove.usMidday Sports Headlineshttp://www.thedove.us/sports/2013/05/29/midday-sports-headlines
NHL COACH FIRED
The New York Rangers are looking for a new coach after firing John Tortorella after four and a-half seasons. The combative coach, who was hired to replace Tom Renney in February 2009, achieved some success with the Rangers but never matched the Stanley Cup title he earned in 2004 with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
DECIDING NHL GAME 7
Two Original Six teams - Detroit and Chicago - meet tonight at United Center in Game 7 of the NHL Western Conference semifinals. Tonight's winner moves on to play the defending Stanley Cup champion L.A. Kings in the Western Conference final. The Boston-Pittsburgh East final starts Saturday in the Steel City.
SERENA ROLLS
Top-ranked Serena Williams has led 10 American women into the second round of the French Open. Williams ran her career-best winning streak to 26 matches by beating wild card Caroline Garcia of France, 6-1, 6-2.
LEGEND HIREDBY TEAM
Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown has reunited with the Cleveland Browns after a messy breakup. New Browns owner Jimmy Haslam (HAZ'-lam) welcomed the 77-year-old Hall of Famer, who will serve as a "special adviser" and be active in community work for the Browns.
OLYMPIC WRESTLING
There's hope for fans of wrestling, squash and baseball-softball to have those sports included in the 2020 Olympics. Those sports made the cut and will be voted on by the full International Olympic Committee in September for inclusion in the 2020 Games.
http://www.thedove.us/sports/2013/05/29/midday-sports-headlines#commentsSportsFrench OpenJim BrownNHLWed, 29 May 2013 19:40:56 +0000Jim McCoy4394 at http://www.thedove.usWomen's Player Advances, Men's Player Bows Out at French Openhttp://www.thedove.us/sports/2013/05/28/womens-player-advances-mens-player-bows-out-french-open
Sam Stosur, the 2010 French Open runner-up, waited 2 1/2 hours to play because of rain, then quickly won her opening match at Roland Garros.
The Australian swept the first nine games and drubbed 42-year-old Kimiko Date-Krumm 6-0, 6-2.
The match was delayed at the start on a 55-degree afternoon, and when the rain finally stopped, Stosur was ready. Playing on cozy Court 1, nicknamed the bullring, Stosur dominated with her strong serve and pinpoint groundstrokes, repeatedly skipping shots just inside the lines.
Stosur's best showing at Roland Garros was three years ago, when she lost in the final to Francesca Schiavone. She won the U.S. Open in 2011, but this year has been hampered by a right calf injury and has yet to reach a semifinal.
TOMIC OUT
Australian tennis player Bernard Tomic, whose father was banned from attending the French Open because of an assault investigation, retired from his first-round match at Roland Garros in the third set Tuesday.
The 61st-ranked Tomic was treated for a right hamstring problem in the first set but played on until stopping while trailing 7-5, 7-6 (8), 2-1 against Victor Hanescu of Romania.
Tomic's father, John, is due in court in Madrid in October. He is accused of head-butting Bernard's hitting partner, Thomas Drouet.
The ATP and International Tennis Federation barred John Tomic from receiving credentials for tournaments. The French tennis federation announced they would not allow him onto the grounds of their event, even as a paying spectator.
http://www.thedove.us/sports/2013/05/28/womens-player-advances-mens-player-bows-out-french-open#commentsSportsBernard TomicFrench OpenSam StosurTue, 28 May 2013 18:48:02 +0000Jim McCoy4384 at http://www.thedove.usNadal Favored, But Not Seeded First At French Openhttp://www.thedove.us/sports/2013/05/23/nadal-favored-not-seeded-first-french-open
Rafael Nadal's sustained excellence on clay and Serena Williams' current winning streak mean little thought is being given to the sort of surprises the French Open used to produce regularly.
Nadal already owns a record seven titles at Roland Garros. Plus, he's been nearly perfect after seven months off the tour because of a left knee injury. Since returning in February, Nadal is 36-2 with six titles.
And yet he will not be seeded No. 1 when the draw is held Friday. That's because the French Open decided to strictly follow the rankings, and Nadal lost points while he was away.
Williams, meanwhile, has won 24 matches in a row and is 67-3 since a first-round loss in Paris a year ago.
The tournament begins Sunday.
http://www.thedove.us/sports/2013/05/23/nadal-favored-not-seeded-first-french-open#commentsSportsFrench OpenRafael NadalTennisThu, 23 May 2013 20:39:36 +0000Jim McCoy4370 at http://www.thedove.us